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Bowsprit

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bowsprit held down by a bobstay
Bowsprit with forestays and bobstays

The bowsprit of a sailing vessel is a spar extending forward from the vessel's prow. The bowsprit is typically held down by a bobstay that counteracts the forces from the forestays. The bowsprit’s purpose is to create anchor points for the sails that extend beyond the vessel’s bow, increasing the size of sail that may be held taut.

The word bowsprit is thought to originate from the Middle Low German word bōchsprētbōch meaning "bow" and sprēt meaning "pole".[1]

It is sometimes used to hold up the figurehead.

References

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  1. ^ "Bowsprit". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 15 November 2012.

References

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  • The dictionary definition of bowsprit at Wiktionary